Portable spray apparatus

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a portable spray apparatus is disclosed wherein a plastic container is provided with built-in handle grips and an inlet port. The container has a wide mouth opening threaded to receive a cap member and is sized large enough to receive a submergible electric water pump. The bottom surface of the container is preformed to provide a supporting receptacle for the motor while the upper end of the motor is supported by a tubular support member. The tubular support member has a cap or lid portion which engages the mouth opening and a threaded annular cap or ring member attaches the tubular member to the container. The pump has an opening near the bottom of the container and an outlet coupled to a flexible hose. The hose and electrical wiring for the pump extend through the cap member. The electrical wiring has a plug for reception in an automobile cigar lighter receptacle for furnishing d.c. power.

United States Patent 11 1 Harris 1451 Apr. 10, 1973 1541 PORTABLE SPRAY APPARATUS [22] Filed: Mar. 20, 19 72 211 App]. N6; 236,116

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 52,039, July 2', 1970, aban- 3,137,415 6/1964 Faunce ..222/466 X Primary ExaminerSar nuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon Attorney-Donald H. Fidler et al.

[57] ABSTRACT One embodiment of a portable spray apparatus is disclosed wherein a plastic container is provided with built-in handle grips and an inlet port. The container has a wide mouth opening threaded to receive a cap member and is'sized large enough to receive a submergible electric water pump. The bottom surface of the container is preformed to provide a supporting receptacle for the motor while the upper end of the motor is supported by a tubular support member. The tubular support member has a cap or lid portion which engages the mouth opening and a threaded annular cap or ring member attaches the tubular member to the container. The pump has an opening near the bottom of the container and an outlet coupled to a flexible hose. The hose and electrical wiring for the pump extend through the cap member. The electrical wiring has a plug for reception in an automobile cigar lighter receptacle for furnishing dc. power.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FIG] FIG. 2

PATENTEW 3. 726 ,443

Bfcmtl y Harris /N VE N TOR BY F/DLER & BARD A TTORNEVS PORTABLE SPRAY APPARATUS This is a continuation of Ser. No. 52,039, filed July 2, 1970 now abandoned.

A nozzle is coupled to the hose and includes a nozzle housing with a tubular member having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots. Rotatively coupled to the housing is a perforated cap member which has a tubular extension slidably and sealingly received in the tubular member. The tubular extension has oppositely disposed openings which can be rotatively moved into and out of registry with the longitudinal slots to control the flow of liquid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to portable spraying apparatus, and more particularly to water spraying apparatus with a built-in pumping apparatus which can be powered from an automobile battery to provide a water spray useful for showering and, generally, washing of automobiles, boats and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Heretofore, there have been portable spray devices proposed which typically used either electrical or mechanical power. The electrically operated devices were conceived to use conventional ac power, and the motors and pumps were correspondingly quite bulky and cumbersome. In fact, most of these devices require installation on a wheeled base so that they are in the nature of temporary installations and do not have any real degree of portability. The mechanical devices typically include foot or hand operated pumping mechanisms which are not satisfactory for providing a continuous spray and are inconvenient to operate. A still further device has been proposed which uses a pressurized water supply; however, this is inconvenient to prepare and has only a limited time period of use. Also, with respect to the prior art, it has heretofore been commonplace to utilize complicated controls and components which not only increase the cost of the unit but also cause operating difficulties.

None of these prior art devices has successfully approached or solved the problem of providing a truly portable self-contained spraying unit whichis adaptable over a variety of conditions and situations.

In connection with camping or recreation on the beach which preoccupies great numbers of individuals and families, it is highly desirable to be able to have some sort of bathing facility which is immediately available, simple to use and maintain, and versatile in application. Along the coastal area where the water is quite saline, it will be appreciated that such a portable spray means which can easily and quickly be used with a minimum of effort is highly desirable to rinse salt or sand deposits from either the body of an individual or that of an automobile or any other object which may require washing.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide new and novel portable spray means which occupies a minimum of space and can be quickly and easily used in connection with an automobile battery on any open ground available.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel spraying apparatus which is completely self-contained and requires only connection to a power supply and has a flexible hose spraying arrangement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel apparatus for providing a controlled spray in a simple and economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a portable spray apparatus utilizing a plastic water container constructed to provide built-in handle grips and inlet port for receiving water from a hose or the like. The container further has a wide mouth opening which is threaded to receive a cap member. The opening is sized large enough to receive a submergible electric water pump, and the bottom surface of the container is preformed to provide a containing well for the base of the motor while a tubular support member is provided to support the upper end of the motor. The tubular support member also has a cap or lid portion which is received over the opening of the container. A threaded, annular cap member attaches the cap portion of the tubular member to the container to hold it in place. The electric submergible pump has an inlet with a filtered opening near the bottom of the container and an outlet which is connected to a long flexible hose. The opposite end of the hose is coupled to a spray nozzle. The motor is connected via electrical wiring to a plug-in unit which can be inserted into the cigar lighter receptacle of an automobile for furnishing power.

The spraying nozzle is a unique, two-piece construction of plastic material where a tubular nozzle member has a flared outer portion and an inner tubular portion provided with diametrically opposed longitudinally extending slots. The nozzle cap member is arranged to have a snap-on connection with the flared outer portion and includes a central tubular member which is telescopingly received within the inner tubular member of the nozzle. Near the middle portion of the tubular portion are diametrically opposed cylindrical openings.

The cap member is provided with perforations around its hemispherical surface to discharge a spray. The nozzle may be manipulated between open and closed positions by rotating the cap member relative to the nozzle member.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 illustrates in partial cross section the container and assembly for the spraying system;

FIG. 2 illustrates in cross section the nozzle construction; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. l, the container 10 is thin- -walled construction of plastic such as polyethylene.

The size and shape of the container can be varied to suit any particular need. However, in the preferred form of the embodiment, the container is cubical and sized to hold about five gallons of water. In opposed sidewall surfaces, rectangularly configured indentations l1, 12 are preformed into the walls to provide gripping surfaces for transporting the unit. Near the top portion of the container is an inlet orifice 13 provided with a suitable cap 14 and large enough to receive a garden hose or the like. The bottom wall surface 15 of the container is preformed to provide a well receptacle 16 for the base of the pump 17. As shown in the drawing, the well 16 is cylindrically shaped, although it will be appreciated that this shape can be any desired configuration to match the pump base. Coaxially disposed above the well 16 in the bottom surface is an upper wide mouth opening 18 which has an outer threaded portion 19. The internal diameter of the opening 18 is sized to be large enough to pass therethrough a submergible pump together with a connecting hose 20 and an inlet pipe 21;

In the order of assembly, the pump 17 is inserted through the opening 18 so that its base fits within the well 16 of the container. The pump 17 has a lower pump section 22 with a centrifugal blade arrangement (not shown). The pump blades have sufficient clearance relative to the pump housing so that the motor can be run without damage while the outlet is closed to fluid flow. The inlet to the pump is a right angle pipe 21 which contains a filter to guard against receiving particulate matter and an outlet which is connected to a flexible hose 20. The upper end of the motor 23 is supported within the open downward end of a tubular support member 24. The tubular support member 24 has at its upper end a disc shaped cap or lid portion 25 sized to fit over the upper open end of the container. The tubular portion of the support member is provided with three equidistantly spaced, inwardly extending triangular projections 26 which permit a snug fit over the motor assembly as well as permit water in the container to pass into the tubular support member between the clearance of the tubular support member and the motor. The configuration of motor and well 16 can be such that the motor is keyed against rotation or any other suitable means can be used.

The cap portion 25 has a first central opening 27 through which the wiring 28 for the electrical motor is passed. The wiring 28 is connected at one end to the motor and at an opposite end to a plug insert 29 adapted for reception in the plug receptacle of an automobile which normally receives a cigar lighter. The plug insert 29, once inserted into the cigar lighter receptacle, will furnish l2-volt power to operate the pump motor. The wire 28 is provided with a grommetlike fastener 30 within the tubular support member so that they wire cannot be accidentally pulled from the motor connection. In a similar manner the flexible hose 20 is passed through an outer opening 34 in the cap portion and is similarly provided with a grommet member 32 which prevents the hose from being pulled off of the pump. The upper cap member 25 is fixed in place relative to the container by an annular cap ring 33 which has an internally threaded portion adapted to matingly engage with the threads on the container. An upwardly directed flange of cap ring 33 seats on the cap member 25 to retain it on the container. The other end of the hose 20 is suitably connected to a spray nozzle 34 which generally has a tear-shaped outer configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the spray nozzle 34 includes a nozzle housing having a flared outer wall 35 and an inner tubular wall 36. The inner tubular wall 36 is provided with longitudinally extending and diametrically opposed slots 37. For rigidity of structure, longitudinal webs 38 (FIG. 3) are provided to interconnect the outer and inner walls of the housing. The cap member 39 has a hemispherically shaped spray portion 40 which has a base with an annular groove 41 which snap fits to a mating projection 42 on the nozzle housing. Centrally of the interior of the cap member is a projecting boss member 43 which snugly receives a tubular extension 44. The tubular extension 44 is sealed relative to the cap member to prevent any leakage of fluid therebetween and is snugly received within the housing member 36. Around the periphery of the cap member, external to the tubular member, are a multitude of spray orifices 45. Near the middle portion of the tubular member 43 are diametrically opposed openings 46 which are arranged for register relative to the lower end portion of the longitudinal slots 37 on the tubular portion of the nozzle housing. If desired the tubular wall 36 and extension 44 can be sealed relative to one another by one or more O-rings (only one shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the slots and openings are in registry, wherein water entering into the nozzle will be passed to the space in the nozzle housing formed between the inner and outer walls and the tubular wall of the cap member and thus forced out of the spray openings. To discontinue the spray, the cap is rotated 180 to take the openings 46 out of registry with the longitudinal slots 37 and thereby discontinue the flow of water. As noted heretofore, turning off the outlet for the water does not affect the pump operation, and it will run harmlessly even though water is not being sprayed. Of course, the amount of water sprayed can be regulated by rotational adjustment of the cap member relative to the nozzle member to the various angular positions that the cap member may assume relative to the nozzle member.

From the foregoing description it should be appreciated that the present invention has disclosed a new and novel integrated, self-contained spraying unit where the container with all the operating equipment may be placed empty into an automobile or other vehicle with the hose and wire leads being wrapped around the upper neck of the container for storage. While in the vehicle, the container may be filled by inserting a hose into the inlet opening for the container. It is not necessary to remove the pump at any time. When it is desired to operate the unit it is only necessary to unwrap the wire and spray nozzle from the unit and necessary that the wire is of sufficient length to connect to an automobile cigar lighter receptacle so that the spray may be used without removing it from the automobile, if so desired. Of course, this is a function of the lengthof the wire of the unit as well as the length of the hose, and it is appreciated that this can be varied to suit an individual owners requirement. If desired, both the hose and wire can be snap-connected to the container, thereby permitting different lengths to be used and facilitating storage of the hose and wire. It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention involves a unique and simple and inexpensive compact spraying unit which has heretofore not been available.

Various modifications and alterations may be made in the apparatus hereinbefore described, and in the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the apparatus specifically described and depicted herein are intended to be exemplary only and are not intended as limitations on the essential concept of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable spray assembly adapted to be energized by electrical power from an automobile storage battery or the like, comprising a generally rectangular tank means formed of plastic for containing a supply of water and having a circular opening in its top portion surrounded by an upturned threaded lip portion and an annular external indentation in its bottom portion for providing an internal circular recess therein opposite said circular opening,

said tank means further having a hand-grip indentation in each of two opposite vertical sidewalls whereby said spray assembly may be manually lifted and carried between locations,

a submergible water pump insertable through said circular opening in the top of said tank means and having laterally positioned intake and exhaust ports and a circular lower end seatable in said circular recess in the bottom of said tank means,

a submergible DC electric motor insertable through said circular opening in the top of said tank means and fixedly connected to the upper end of said pump for driving said pump in said tank means,

a hollow rigid plastic tubular member having an open lower end and generally closed upper end having a perpendicular flange and further having a first aperture in said closed upper end communicating with said open lower end and a second aperture-in said flange,

said tubular member being vertically positionable in said tank means with said flange being flush with and resting on the rim of said lip portion of the top of said tank means and with said open lower end thereof being slidably inserted over at least a portion of the upper end of said motor for fixing said pump non-rotatably in said recess in the bottom of said tank means,

an annular open-topped cap means threadably engagable with said lip portion of the top of said tank means for releasably locking said flange of said tubular member to said rim of said lip portion,

7 a first generally rigid water conduit containing a filter and having one end connected to the intake port of said pump and extending over said circular recess therein to position its other end adjacent the bottom of said tankmeans, g

a second flexible water conduit connected at one end to the exhaust port of said pump and extendable upward in said tank along the exterior of said tubular member and substantially fixedly through said second aperture in said flange thereof and through said open-topped cap means to the exterior of said tank means,

an electrical conductor having one end secured to said motor and extending upward in said tubular member through said first aperture therein with its other end located outside of said tank means and provided with an insertable connector adapted to mate with an automobile cigar lighter receptacle or the like,

a grommet-like closure means fixedly attached about said electrical conductor for stoppering said first aperture in said closed end of said tubular member, and

nozzle means secured to the other end of said second water conduit for dispensin water in spray form. 2. The spray assembly descrl ed in claim 1, wherein said upper end of said motor is keyed with said lower end of said tubular member for fixing said pump nonrotatably in said tank.

3. The spray assembly described in claim 2, wherein said tubular member is provided with a plurality of interior key-like projections downwardly engaging the upper end of said motor and urging said pump into said circular recess in the bottom of said tank means.

4. The spray assembly described in claim 3, wherein said tank means also includes a separate filling aperture adjacent its top portion and a closed cap member threadably interconnectable with said tank means for releasably closing said filling aperture therein.

member and oppositely disposed openings in said tubu- I lar extension. 

1. A portable spray assembly adapted to be energized by electrical power from an automobile storage battery or the like, comprising a generally rectangular tank means formed of plastic for containing a supply of water and having a circular opening in its top portion surrounded by an upturned threaded lip portion and an annular external indentation in its bottom portion for providing an internal circular recess therein opposite said circular opening, said tank means further having a hand-grip indentation in each of two opposite vertical sidewalls whereby said spray assembly may be manually lifted and carried between locations, a submergible water pump insertable through said circular opening in the top of said tank means and having laterally positioned intake and exhaust ports and a circular lower end seatable in said circular recess in the bottom of said tank means, a submergible DC electric motor insertable through said circular opening in the top of said tank means and fixedly connected to the upper end of said pump for driving said pump in said tank means, a hollow rigid plastic tubular member having an open lower end and generally closed upper end having a perpendicular flange and further having a first aperture in said closed upper end communicatIng with said open lower end and a second aperture in said flange, said tubular member being vertically positionable in said tank means with said flange being flush with and resting on the rim of said lip portion of the top of said tank means and with said open lower end thereof being slidably inserted over at least a portion of the upper end of said motor for fixing said pump non-rotatably in said recess in the bottom of said tank means, an annular open-topped cap means threadably engagable with said lip portion of the top of said tank means for releasably locking said flange of said tubular member to said rim of said lip portion, a first generally rigid water conduit containing a filter and having one end connected to the intake port of said pump and extending over said circular recess therein to position its other end adjacent the bottom of said tank means, a second flexible water conduit connected at one end to the exhaust port of said pump and extendable upward in said tank along the exterior of said tubular member and substantially fixedly through said second aperture in said flange thereof and through said open-topped cap means to the exterior of said tank means, an electrical conductor having one end secured to said motor and extending upward in said tubular member through said first aperture therein with its other end located outside of said tank means and provided with an insertable connector adapted to mate with an automobile cigar lighter receptacle or the like, a grommet-like closure means fixedly attached about said electrical conductor for stoppering said first aperture in said closed end of said tubular member, and nozzle means secured to the other end of said second water conduit for dispensing water in spray form.
 2. The spray assembly described in claim 1, wherein said upper end of said motor is keyed with said lower end of said tubular member for fixing said pump non-rotatably in said tank.
 3. The spray assembly described in claim 2, wherein said tubular member is provided with a plurality of interior key-like projections downwardly engaging the upper end of said motor and urging said pump into said circular recess in the bottom of said tank means.
 4. The spray assembly described in claim 3, wherein said tank means also includes a separate filling aperture adjacent its top portion and a closed cap member threadably interconnectable with said tank means for releasably closing said filling aperture therein.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 and including nozzle means coupled to said hose means, said nozzle means comprising a nozzle housing having an inner tubular member with at least one longitudinally extending slot, and a perforated cap member having a tubular extension slidably and sealingly received in the tubular member and having at least one opening, said cap member being rotatably secured to said housing to place said one opening into and out of registry with said longitudinal slot.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein there are oppositely disposed longitudinal slots in said tubular member and oppositely disposed openings in said tubular extension. 